O’Shaquie Foster left Matchroom on account of what he perceived to be the absence of backing from his previous promoter.
The WBC super featherweight champion on Friday fights for the first time under Top Rank, when he defends his title against Abraham Nova at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York.
In October against Eduardo Hernandez he enhanced his reputation by dramatically stopping the Mexican in the final round when he was on course for defeat, contributing to the approach for him from Top Rank, and ultimately his decision to move on.
“Everything about that fight wasn’t genuine,” the 30 year old said. “I was treated like the B-side. They did everything to get the advantage – which you’re supposed to do – but as a promoter, I think you’d be kind of, in between. But it’s all good. That’s why we’re here now – I felt genuine love from Top Rank, and it just felt like the right choice.
“I didn’t have any talks with [Matchroom]. Not even for [the IBF champion Joe] Cordina – nothing. I mean I had offers [from other promoters] before the Hernandez fight, but like I said, Top Rank – they showed me the most love, and like I said, I always wanted to fight on ESPN. Everybody came through Top Rank – Muhammed Ali, all the way down to Floyd [Mayweather]. It’s always been a dream of mine to be great and do great things, and I think this is the path to it.
“I was sure that [the Hernandez fight] was the reason why [Top Rank wanted me]. I was able to show a lot in that fight, and I’m not going to lie, Top Rank was not who I thought was going to come for me. It surprised me, and it was all love that it worked out.
“It was one of the most exciting moments of my life, to just be a part of something that feels like they want me. I don’t feel like I gotta go out there and try to knock my guy out every time, just to get the win, so I’m happy.”
Victory over Nova, also 30, would potentially put Foster on course for a fight with Emanuel Navarrete, another Mexican and the WBO champion.
“The ring was soft,” he continued of the fight with Hernandez. “The ring was small; there was all kinds of things going on with that fight [staged in Cancun, Mexico]. The judges – one judge got me down; the other judge gave him the first seven or eight rounds. It’s crazy.”
